big block headers?
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 167
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From: BLACKSBURG VA
big block headers?
I AM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF A FRAME OFF AND WOULD LIKE TO PUT HEADERS ON WHILE EVERYTHING IS APART. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT HEADERS WILL MAKE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT TOO HOT TO DRIVE COMFORTABLY. PLEASE LET ME KNOW OF ANY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES. THE CAR IS A 73 CONVERTIBLE WITH AUTO AND NO AIR. :confused:
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: big block headers? (GRIZ73)
I have headers on my bigblock 75 but they are wrapped and do not give off much heat. JUst painted headers do give off alot. I would go for the thermal coated headers. Both for their good looks, durable finish and there themal insulation.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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Re: big block headers? (norvalwilhelm)
Yeah, what Norval says. Also, there seem to be a lot of different thicknesses in insulation wrap. Norval, what thickness are you using? I have a couple of rolls of that stuff and the brownish colored thermotec stuff is much thinner than the thick white stuff I got here locally. I decided to put that on my downpipes.
Painted headers will rust in no time so the extra $$$ for the coating is a very good investment. I have tried coating painted headers (after stripping) with ceramic BUT that stuff but it was a major PITA. The instructions on the can fail to mention that once you blast the surface you should bake it to remove all moisture, any moisture will leave ugly bubbles under the finish. Secondly the stuff changes color, I once had orange coating that became red when the engine was hot and white when cold.
The cerma chrome stuff from swain tech is a lot better but if you factor in all the costs and effort the jet hot coating is a much better option.
[Modified by Twin_Turbo, 1:17 AM 9/12/2003]
Painted headers will rust in no time so the extra $$$ for the coating is a very good investment. I have tried coating painted headers (after stripping) with ceramic BUT that stuff but it was a major PITA. The instructions on the can fail to mention that once you blast the surface you should bake it to remove all moisture, any moisture will leave ugly bubbles under the finish. Secondly the stuff changes color, I once had orange coating that became red when the engine was hot and white when cold.
The cerma chrome stuff from swain tech is a lot better but if you factor in all the costs and effort the jet hot coating is a much better option.
[Modified by Twin_Turbo, 1:17 AM 9/12/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Republic of Texas
Re: big block headers? (norvalwilhelm)
I have headers on my bigblock 75 but they are wrapped and do not give off much heat. JUst painted headers do give off alot. I would go for the thermal coated headers. Both for their good looks, durable finish and there themal insulation.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: big block headers? (Twin_Turbo)
Twin Turbo I do not know the thickness. My headers are a least 10 years old. A trick to wrapping is to soap the wrap in a tub of water for 15 to 30 minutes to soften it. The water logged wrap allows you to pull it tighter without tearing plus go around bends easier.
Like I said those headers have been wrapped for at least 10 years. The wrap is reaching it's end and I might have to do it again this winter.
Corey I could easily see how that could happen, oil saturating the wrap then bursting into flames. I sometimes have dripped oil on them myself and worry a little.
I will keep an eye on leaks for sure.
Like I said those headers have been wrapped for at least 10 years. The wrap is reaching it's end and I might have to do it again this winter.
Corey I could easily see how that could happen, oil saturating the wrap then bursting into flames. I sometimes have dripped oil on them myself and worry a little.
I will keep an eye on leaks for sure.
